Preparation of functionalized porous nano-γ-Al2O3 powders employing colophony extract

This study reports the synthesis of porous nano alumina employing carboxylato-alumoxanes [Al(O)x(OH)y(O2CR)z]n as precursors for controlling the pore size, pore size distribution and porosity of the alumina, using a new process ecofriendly. The carboxylato-alumoxanes was prepared by the reaction of boehmite with carboxylic acids. The boehmite was obtained by the hydrolysis of aluminum alkoxide in an aqueous solution. The colophony extract is employed as a source of carboxylic acids. The materials were characterized, using XRD, TGA, N2 physical adsorption, SEM, TEM, NMR and FTIR. A mechanism was proposed for the formation of the synthesized structures. TEM measurements confirmed particle size ranged from 5 to 8 nm.